Do you believe going to college and getting a degree gives you an advantage in getting a great job?

Question

I used to think that after i got my degree. Then I realized it's also who you know and right place right time.

Purpleronnie · Accepted Answer

A degree can be a pre-requisite just to getting an interview and need to be proven at the commencement of employment so yes. it can also be dependent on the company hiring as a way of raising the standard of applications received by demanding a “graduate” level of education. I’m sure you agree there is a logic here. I would always say as the one being involved at interview in selection of the new employee that having a degree “can” tell me something about that person but it depends when it was studied , where it was studied and what level of degree was attained before it has any real bearing. Above all though is how the person comes across during the interview , their personality , their manner , their communication skills , their vocabulary , their confidence etc that will matter more to me and to a lot of senior members of teams I’ve been fortunate to be a part of. If I had the choice of a person with 10 years experience of working versus someone fresh out of college with a bare pass degree my gut would tell me that experience carries more weight. But it still comes down to the “people” and who they are !!

Fireguy17 · Accepted Answer

nope. It only means you know everything there is to know lets say about a broom, it does not mean you know how to operate one.

rienna888 · Accepted Answer

Yes it does but you have to choose wisely. You have to work a job that’s in demand and also pays well. They say you must find something you love, but usually I believe that you have to find the right workplace. A job that pays well can help you work less for more money. And work that’s in demand gives you flexibility to always go somewhere else if you don’t like your job environment. I don’t believe in the dream job BS unless it pays well. Well unless you start a business or become an influencer, which is EVERYBODYs dream job

Ez-Bri-Z_v2 · Accepted Answer

A lot of it is really who you know and being lucky on the timing. I have a good job and pretty good pay for what I do and I don't have a degree. That doesn't mean getting one is useless. It still helps your qualifications stand out against others.

Advisor Smith · Accepted Answer

Earning a degree often provides a foundation of knowledge and skills that can be advantageous in the job market. However, real-world success often involves a combination of education, networking, and timing. Building relationships and being open to opportunities can be as crucial as your academic achievements. Balancing formal education with practical, interpersonal skills enhances your employability and career prospects.

bolverk · Answer

Not necessarily, it depends on your intended career. I did 4 years Engineering Apprenticeship specialising in Heavy and Marine Engineering, doing day release at my local Technical College to gain my Engineering Industry Training Board qualifications in Basic Machining, Bench Fitting, Welding, Sheet Metal Work, Pipe-work, and Electrical, after that I added extra courses, Industrial 1st Aid (retested every 3 years) Pneumatics and Hydraulics, None Destructive and Destructive Testing of Metals (retested every year), after that I took University Distance Learning courses to take the added courses to professional qualifications. While I’m doing this I’m gaining superiority with the company that will put me four years ahead of those who join the company from University/College while earning a good wage and have no debt unlike those coming from University/College. In my career I've never stopped training and learning it keeps your thinking flexible and up on any 'new knowledge' coming into the industry, while feeding back the years of experience spreading knowledge gained the hard way, also feeding back which of the 'new knowledge' doesn't work as well in practice as it was claimed it would during the training.

DrPepper12 · Answer

The answer is yes to both questions but it's the type of degree that matters, what internships / apprenticeships / travel abroad / etc you've taken advantage of while in college.

College is always advantageous because the teaches you about yourself, how to start over, how to maintain those new relationships, how to self-discipline yourself for academics and your budget. Those are all great soft skills and experience so college is never a waste from that point of view.

If you're making a career, not a job, in a field outside your major then yes, you've got a problem there.

236color · Answer

Depends also on what degree you get. Gone are the days when any degree at all was a ticket to upper middle class luxury. The degrees that guarantee a paying job are the one everybody knows what you do, nurse, doctor, lawyer, pharmacist, engineer, architect, that sort of thing. A degree in French Literature is a very expensive way to get a job at Starbucks.

Phoenix98 · Answer

Nope.

College these days is more or less a waste of time and money. Your far better off going to a trade school and actually getting a practical degree in a practical field that takes less time to complete and costs less.

Unless your going to be a doctor or something of that nature college isn't really worth it.

spartan55 · Answer

All through middle and high school it was drilled in our heads that we MUST get a college degree to have any chance of success. Our guidance counselor was the worst.  Such a load of shit.

RavVid · Answer

It also depends on if the interviewer likes you as a person. In one interview it came up that I still met up with colleagues from a couple of jobs ago and the whole interview turned on that.

RingOfFire · Answer

The thing is the two things are related. If you get a college degree from a top college you get to meet people you would not have otherwise been able to meet. It opens up doors throughout your career that would not have been there without the degree.

AviatorTom · Answer

Having a degree, more specifically the right degree for the job, does help in getting a great job. As the poster points out, there are other things that also come into play. One thing not mentioned is experience.

SixFootSexy · Answer

Building a network is way more important than what you know or talent. But where you make that network for instance, matters a lot. Wealthy people tend to go to ivy league schools, meet their peers and help each other get more wealthy.

exitseven · Answer

It depends on what you major in. Math and science will get you good job. Sociology and Womens Studies , not so much

Bricealan · Answer

A degree opens door that would not otherwise open for you

genericname85 · Answer

Not every degree gives you great chances for a job. Tho I think having a degree is still better than not in any case.

Kelley1 · Answer

It is mandatory if you want to obtain a license as an engineer, medical doctor, dentist, or attorney.

ohsheeT · Answer

All the above is true but if you don't know anybody you always have that degree and you always have those big pay checks

Agape93 · Answer

Just saying, my company pays more for people with more certifications and degrees.

ManInChains · Answer

No. All it does is indoctrinate you into becoming a liberal.

Anonymous · Answer

A degree is a box ticked and some professions mandate you must have one. I suspect you are at a disadvantage without one. But that is not to say you cannot work your way up later.
Who you know sometimes helps but that is a shortcut.

ProbablyClueless · Answer

I don't know about a great job, but it definitely makes you more competitive than only having a high school education.

Paradox316 · Answer

If you practice good common sense and get a degree in an in-demand field than yes! I want to go to college so badly.

OfDeath · Answer

Yes of course it does. Most good jobs won’t even consider someone who isn’t educated.

Anonymous · Answer

Yeah--a big, big, BIG part of college should be building a strong network. That's HUGE.

noohair · Answer

Depends on the Degree.

SugarSugarplum · Answer

Not anymore.

Anonymous · Answer

Nope. It's a scam.

dragoblack · Answer

Nope. Trade jobs is where the money is at

Do you believe going to college and getting a degree gives you an advantage in getting a great job?

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